Spillane, who jarred many in 2003 when he surged at the end to capture the sprint gold medal at the World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, and Demong have been teammates in the last three Winter Olympics. In the first season after the retirement of four-time Olympian and six-time World Cup winner Todd Lodwick, they are joined on the A team by the Camerota twins, Eric and Brett, who also were on the ’06 Olympic team.

“We have some good talent with these guys, but we also have some young athletes coming along on the B team as we look ahead and move into this new Olympic cycle, so we have to be patient,” said head coach Lasse Ottesen, who succeeded Bard Elden in the spring. “Johnny and Billy give us good, stable leadership as the others build their experience level.”